He walked through the abandoned corridor of the manner intent on finding his way back to his room. However, he was enthralled in the idea being propped against the headboard and nodding off that his destination changed to Minerva's library, certain she would oblige him with a good read. Careful not to alert the slumbering with his midnight escapades, he shuffled quickly by the candlelight. Though it appeared he was not the only disturbed from his slumbers.
Eyeing the shard of light spilling from beneath the oak door, he cautiously pushed it open to reveal the dimly lit library. Flickering shadows stalked across the numerous shelves of leather tomes from the raging fireplace. Expecting to hear only the crackling of the smoldering embers, the almost indistinguishable whimper made him pause. He waited, believing his mind to be playing tricks on him. A whimper never came, but he could swear he heard a rustling of… something. He glanced to the dark, ominous corners of the library before moving to the hearth.
Assuming whoever was present would be on the furniture, he was surprised once more to find the cowering figure shaking by the hearthstone. Curled in on herself, she gently rocked back and forth trying to comfort herself. Rolling ringlets of grey shielded her face from view while gently grazing the glowing thread of the rug. Unsure of how to approach, he quietly made his way around a leather armchair. He did not, however, notice the claw foot of the end table and cracked his toe against it, effectively toppling over a picture frame and shattering the fragile glass.
The response was immediate. The woman lurched up from her crouch and whirled round on him. He could discern her slight outline beneath her worn cotton nightgown as she stood in front of the fire. Her skin had a lifeless murky grey quality. Trails of tears streamed down her blotched cheeks from glassy eyes of dull sage slightly sunk back into her head. The look of pure agony mixed with horror ripped through his heartstrings as he gazed upon his friend.
"Oh my dear," was all Albus could mutter.
Fresh tears began to leak down her face. Her lips trembled dangerously as she struggled to maintain a semblance of composure. But a single sob burst through the wall as she flung her hand to cover her mouth to stop further sobs from escaping. Wrapping her other arm around her middle, she started shaking and slowly sinking back to the floor resuming her earlier position.
Never having been one for providing comfort, he stood for another moment watching his dear friend collapse before him. Slowly, he approached her. Careful not to touch her, he lowered himself to the floor just off to her left. Tentatively, he softly placed his hand on her shoulder. His attempt at comfort, however, was shoved off, and her shaking became more pronounced. He waited.
Minerva attempted to speak through her grief. "I… can't."
It was a long moment before she found the ability to speak again. He patiently waited for her. Still shaking, she said, "H-he, he… I, I need… I need him h-here… I need h-his… I never… n-not before… b-but now… I need our… ou-our… I c-can't."
She was gasping now, albeit quietly. Her head was now in her hands, propped up by her elbows, still rocking back and forth. He could see the tear drops splattering about the rug beneath her. His entire being screamed for him to touch her, to transfer his affection and love through something tangible; but each time his hand reached out to her, he drew it back for her sake.
"I n-need him…" she whispered.
Still he waited. He could feel tears of pity gathering. They wouldn't fall; he refused to let them fall on her behalf. She didn't need pity, didn't want pity. Minutes passed before her gentle rocking' slowed to a halt. Head still in her hands, she continued to shake from grief.
She murmured, "He's gone…"
His moment of comfort had finally presented itself. "Only physically, my dear."
She did not respond.
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, he continued. "We are not gone until we are forgotten. He will remain, if only as part of you. He lives in you, just as he will live within me. You will see him whenever you gaze at your reflection, for he has shaped you, become part of you." He paused to shift closer. " He will only die when you allow him, when you no longer can feel him, remember him, his love." With that, he reached out. When she no longer shied from his touch, he moved to crouch next to her. Bending so his face became level with hers, he slowly began rubbing a large circle across the span of her back. Leaning towards her ear, he breathed, "He'll never be 'gone'. He lives in you."
And she shattered. The sobs she had been smothering burst forth in a thunderous storm. Her hands gave way as her head fell to the floor, tangling in her hair. Gently, he embraced her crumpled form, extending his arm across her back while the other gathered her into his lap. He planted soothing kisses to her shoulder and hair as he comforted her. They stayed crouched by the fire until the inferno had simmered to a struggling light. Her shaking had slightened and sobs no longer raked her body though a shuddering breath would escape occasionally.
Just when he believed her to be drifting off to sleep, she leapt from his embrace. To startled to react, he watched as she stood and turned away from him looking into the dying flame. After a moment to absorb what had happened, he too straightened himself to a standing position. He silently watched. Unable to do anything else, he drew his dressing gown further about him.
"Goodnight, my dear," Albus whispered before slowly exiting the library, his midnight reading forgotten on the shelves.
Upon hearing the click of the door shutting, she let out her final shuddering breath. Tears still cascaded from her eyes though they no longer burned of anguish. She gazed into the fire, fixed in her stance in front the hearth. When the flames had died enough to leave unattended, she rubbed the slippery trails from her cheeks. Turning, she spotted the broken glass scattered about the fallen picture frame. Fresh tears formed as she walked over to pick up the picture. Staring back at her from over his shoulder, he stood in front of the fireplace with his smooth grin and twinkling eyes. Her finger slowly traced his image, a faintest smile creeping into the corner of her mouth. She closed her eyes and inhaled. Placing the frame back on the table, she hugged herself tightly and padded her way to the door.
Minerva stopped just as her hand reached for the doorknob. Looking over her shoulder, she spotted the faintest wisps of smoke billowing from the fireplace. Rays of moonlight washed over the library as the fire extinguished creating a hazy atmosphere in front of the fireplace. The wisps swirled into a dense pocket just in front of the hearth. She blinked, and the smoke dispersed and drifted towards her. Gently inhaling the ashy scent of burning wood mixed with the unexpected, though thoroughly pleasant, scent of tobacco, a peace washed through her.
"Thank you, dear" she breathed.
The room cleared of the smoky remains of the fire, and she turned to open the door, the scent followed her as she left the library.